A MOTION calling for full decriminalisation of prostitution was defeated at conference yesterday.

The motion, moved by Aslef, called for the TUC women’s committee to campaign for the New Zealand model of a decriminalised sex industry, arguing that this would make sex work safer.

But critics argued that evidence from countries where decriminalisation had been tried suggested it led to an increase in the trafficking of women and girls and would do more to protect brothel-keepers and pimps than prostitutes.